Metaphorical Euphemistic Expressions of Heaven and Hell in Middle English with Special Reference to the “Canterbury Tales”

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of various kinds of circuitous metaphorical expressions related to deities and devils in Middle English with special reference to “The Canterbury Tales”. In other words, the subject of the study will be taboo areas and euphemistic expressions that pertained to God, Saints, angels, Heaven, but also to their opposites, namely to devils and Hell. The paper will approach in detail the lexemes from various categories that contributed to the emergence of new, indirect expressions, such as LIGHT, DARKNESS, DARK PLACES, PLACES, ANIMALS, and TITLES. One of the analyzed categories will be the category of LIGHT. The words that will be viewed as the building blocks for the range of euphemisms will be light, bright and fair. The paper will show that the lexemes from the category of LIGHT created euphemisms for the divinity, as well as oxymora for the imminent evil. The euphemistic expressions associated with LIGHT will be also discussed in detail with regard to their metaphorical status. Moreover, the aim of the analytical part will be also to focus on a variety of euphemisms, the detailed cognitive study of the metaphorical concepts that constituted euphemisms, as well as on the beliefs that constituted the foundation for the emergence of such indirect expressions.